2008 North Carolina Tar Heels
Written July 3, 2008 by Jason Lowry
There is only a couple months separating us from the beginning of the college football season, and professional handicapper Jason Lowry is ready to make his 2008 North Carolina Tar Heels football predictions. Last year the Tar Heels suffered through a tough season where they finished just 4-8, but what made it tough was in those 8 losses 6 of them were winnable games. This season head coach Butch Davis enters his second season at UNC and he should like what he sees in 18 returning starters. The Tar Heels looked prime for a breakout year and their first bowl game since 2004. Lets take a closer look at what the Tar Heels will be lining up on both sides of the ball in 2008.
Offense:
With 10 returning starters don’t expect to see too many new faces, but what you should see is a much improved unit as a whole. One guy we really think is going to improve on his numbers this season is sophomore quarterback TJ Yates who threw 4 more interceptions than touchdowns last year. He did complete nearly 60% of his passes and throw for 2,655 yards. Making things easier on Yates should be the fact that this team 4 returning starters on the offensive line, and they got two good ones in Calvin Darity at right guard and Garrett Reynolds at right tackle. It looks like senior Bryon Bishop is the go to guy to take over the left guard spot. This line should create plenty of holes for a very talented running back in sophomore Greg Little, and help give Yates time to throw to receivers like junior star Hakeem Hicks and the solid sophomore tight end Zack Pianalto, also look for senior Brandon Tates to put up some big numbers as well.
Defense:
While its hard to compete with a unit that brings back 10 starters, the defense isn’t very far behind as they got 8 starters back this season. The defensive line is hit worst as they lose 2 of the 4 starters from last season, but they got a big time talent at tackle in sophomore Marvin Austin. It looks like junior Cam Thomas will take over at the other tackle spot, and junior Joseph Townsend will take over at the open end spot. The team has to replace one of their line backing spots as well, and it looks like junior Wesley Flagg has the early edge at the starting spot. Where this team hopes to be at its best is in the secondary as they bring all 4 starters back, and if you are a Tar Heel fan you have to love that 3 of the 4 are sophomores and could be around for at least one more year after this season. The top talent here lies at the safety spots as both Trimane Goddard and Deunta Williams are big time players.
Prediction: 1st in the ACC Coastal
Some might think we are a little off on picking a team that finished 4 games under .500 to come in and put together a title season, but if you look at the talent all the other teams are bringing back its hard to find a team that looks better than the Tar Heels. Sure the Hokies recruit well, but with just 10 starters back you can’t expect that much. We think the Hokies might want to worry more about the Hurricane than the Tar Heels.
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